blue lakes trail colorado camping

Lower Blue Lake is a lovely place to relax and backcountry camping is allowed here. The best times to visit this trail are June through November.

Blue Lakes

Please pack out their waste.

. Theres a clearing with camping options and a parking area about 02 miles further. Blue Lakes Dispersed Camping Blue Lakes Dispersed Camping. Camping Near the Blue Lakes Trailhead We and many other people all camped right at or near the trailhead.

Windy at higher elevations. Once you get to Lower youll see a sign with 2 arrows- one pointing straight for the lake and the other pointing to the left for Blue Lakes Pass. From the lower lake the trail begins to climb again.

The Upper Lake has elevation 11720 feet 3572 meters and the distance between the Upper and Lowest Lake is about 09 miles. Parking overnight camping by the trailhead The trail has a parking area which is a pretty good size but fills up quickly due to the popularity of the hike. Stay At A KOA Near You.

The road up has recently been grated so its a much easier road than the road to the first lake. It requires some technical rock scrambling to get to the peak but apparently you can see all 3 lakes from the top. Enjoy this 130-mile out-and-back trail near Ridgway Colorado.

The backdrop of the Dallas Divide peaks and the steep. Generally considered a challenging route it takes an average of 8 h 1 min to complete. Camping and fishing are possible on the Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado and the Lower Blue Lake is supposed to be good for fishing cutthroat trout.

Trail Map Photo Gallery. To reach the Blue Lakes Trailhead. Search for Your Perfect Match Among 2 Million Vacation Rentals in the US and Abroad.

Both lakes are surrounded and protected by a ¼-mile camping closure zone. The Middle Lake is the smallest. More information about the Wilderness can be found on the Hiking Trails of Ouray County map and guide.

Breathtaking Scenery of the Blue Lakes Trail. Your starting elevation is 9500 ft. At the top lake area there is another waterfall.

Blue lakes trail colorado camping. From the trailhead take a right at the fork and hike through the trees on moderate grades but excellent trail. The hike to the lowest lake is only 33 miles and the elevation is 10980 3347 meters.

We were ready to get back to our camp to relax for the rest of the day. Blue Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10500 ft. If you are camping take a stove--do not cut wood.

The Blue Lakes Trail is dog friendly but dogs must be kept on a leash. A short 24 mile climb to the north past Blue Lake and a descent to a junction with West Branch trail 960 allow easy access to Island and Carey Lakes the Rawah Trail 961 Twin Crater Lakes and Grassy. Please remember to pack out anything you pack in and leave the lake as clean as you found it.

There are some great spots to camp at the lake but it does get pretty crowded on weekends. Camping at Lower Blue Lake can be crowded. Southern Blue Lakes Trailhead.

Ad Compare Vacation Rentals with Vrbo - Helping Family and Friends Travel Better Together. The hike around the lower lake is much easier allows for younger older visitors to enjoy the area. The second loop is very small in a stand of mature spruce and fir trees.

Blue Lakes Dispersed Camping. This is a very popular area for backpacking camping and hiking so youll likely encounter other people while exploring. Hiking all the way to the Blue Lakes Pass is a round trip of 115 miles with an altitude gain of 3600 feet.

Its part of the areas last private in-holding that was acquired by the Wilderness Land Trust in 2012 and transferred to the National Forest Service. Many people use this area as a base camp for their climb to the summit of Mt. Blue Lake which is five miles from the trailhead is a very popular destination or turn-around point.

Trailhead Elevation 929200 ft 283220 m Features Backcountry camping Big vistas Wildflowers Fishing Location Get Driving Directions Nearby Lodging Camping Comments Karen TenHuisen 02052016 Spectacular hike with amazing views. It begins with a steep ascent but gentles fairly quickly. An on-site camp host offers firewood bundles for sale.

There are several campsites located in the lower lake vicinity there are campsites near the trailhead as well. Turn left onto gravel Dallas Creek Road marked with a brown National Forest sign and follow signs traveling 9 miles to the trailhead parking. The campground is a short walk from Blue Lake located on the eastern slopes of Sangre de Cristo Grant and is composed of two loops.

Upload Photos View 18 Photos. We watched people hike up the steep path to summit Mount Sneffels. This rustic campground has 16 campsites each with a table and fire ring.

Ad Its Always A Great Time To Camp With The Ones You Love. Blue Lake 12435 is located 22 miles from North Fork of Lake Creek Trailhead off Highway 82 in the Mount Massive Wilderness. Both lakes are surrounded and protected by a ¼-mile camping closure zone.

From the center of Ouray take Highway 550 north for just over 10 miles to Highway 62 in Ridgway. Blue River CO 970-468-5400 Official Website. There are many pullouts just before you reach the trailhead and many were also camped in the parking lot if they were sleeping in their vehicle.

From there is it 20 miles to the trailhead in Yankee Boy Basin. 1 You must be at least 100 feet from a water source 2 No campfires are allowed Although you can technically set up your campsite just about anywhere along the trail youll find a primitive campsite area near the Lower Blue Lake. Although very nice views can be found here the upper lakes provide far more scenic panoramas.

Blue Lake Campground - San Isabel Nf CO PSICC. From Ouray travel south on Hwy 550 for approximately 03 miles to the intersection with County Road 361 Camp Bird Road. There are only a few rules that you must follow when setting up your camp on the Blue Lakes Trail.

Blue Lake Trail is a 103 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Red Feather Lakes Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Others provide full sunlight. This rustic campground has 16 campsites each with a table and fire ring.

The elevation gain from the Blue Lake trailhead is 1600 feet 488 meters. Blue Lake - 44 Miles Round-Trip. Turn left on Hwy 62 and travel 48 miles to Dallas Creek Road aka CR 7.

Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience. Many people camp at Blue Lakes and then tackle the peak the next day. Vault toilets and drinking water are available.

White River National Forest. Blue Lake Campground located at 10440 feet in elevation has a beautiful little lake ideal for fishing. Whether You Roll In With Your RV Pitch A Tent Or Opt For A Cabin KOA Got You Covered.

Its just a short distance from here to the lower lake. In a little under 3 miles pass by a waterfall to your left. The trail to the upper basin crosses the creek at one point and early in the season this may prove impassable.

One loop is larger and more open. Turn right onto CR 361 and follow it for approximately 92 miles to its end CR 361 becomes CR 26 and then Forest Service Road 8531B before reaching the Trailhead. This area is national forest land and is free to camp on.

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